Thanks for the additional comments everyone! While there's no doubt that the Maris is a great looking toilet, it's really important to me that it functions well too! It sounds like the clogging issue might have beeen isolated to the floor-mounted Maris, but the streaking issue might affect both the floor-mounted and wall-mounted versions. Another issue I've read about the Maris is that "men don't fit it", meaning that a man's special member can touch the inside of the bowl while sitting (which would be plain gross). Is the bowl really shallow at the front? I'm going to get a second quote using the Aquia instead of the Maris since I don't read of the same problems related to the Aquia. numbersjunkie, when will your reno be complete? It would be great to hear your first-hand experience that can directly compare the Maris and the Aquia. My biggest fear is that the Aquia will suffer the same issues as the Maris :S Thanks!

I'll second, third? Lisa and Sov. Six years old is too young to teach a charity lesson at birthday time IMO. Their birthdays are about silly fun with their friends. Lisa's statement in regards to gifts (optional but please be sure to bring yourself blah blah) is as far as I would go. As the mother of a small child who has too much, I use these experiences to teach the gift of giving. The joy of finding a special toy (and a matchbox might be all that is for some but it's still special to a six year old) is a lesson I don't get to give very often so I really take advantage of it (our son is 4 and not yet in school). At 8 or 9 plus it's a fun idea to discuss giving a party for charity, but only as an idea for the child...you know when they're ready for this or if they ever are :) I bitterly remember the birthday where my father taught me about charity. I opened all the gifts and then they were given to the "less fortunate" (I had no idea who those people were because we didn't learn that lesson). It was really more about control (now that I look back on it) verses a lesson in charity, but to a small child...do they really know the difference? I think we often forget the "joy of giving" and focus on the receiving too much :) So I get where you're coming from, but for a child of six...it's a party :) Let them enjoy it as a six year old should. Goody bags aren't a tradition in our area of the country. But I think the cookie and balloon sounds great. Great for table decor and enjoyable for the kids to take home. Or you could go with a matchbox given the theme of the party (those cheap ones). I don't mind cheap crap...it makes DS smile. The fact that he does not know the difference between a one dollar car and a twenty dollar one actually pleases me. And I don't mind the matchbox's anyhoo...at least they're metal :) My DS is afraid of birthday cake (or was until this year when he's braved the frosting) so I guess we're not overly birthday focused, but he has enjoyed the parties he's gone to as long as we avoid the cake. I don't remember getting any party bags...wait maybe one, but perhaps that is just our circle of friends. I don't think a lecture on how to throw a party is necessary :) Family, friends, it does not matter. Kids should have special birthdays be it with their school friends or family or both. Special does not have to mean much. We had our favorite couple over with their two kids for DS's 4th. Then we repeated a simple dinner with grandma the next week (we were moving to her state). He enjoyed both parties immensely and both were quite simple. DS would love to attend by the way....do you allow 4 year olds? I promise to limit the plastic LOL

I must agree with Sylvia here. There are certain occasions where a gift is expected, and if you don't inform attendees, then THEY will follow the etiquette rules of yore and bring a gift. A "tactless" comment on the invitation publicly informing others that this isn't a gift giving event can save everyone a lot of headache. Showers and kids birthday parties fall squarely into the realm of gift expected. If the hosts/guest of honor truly do not want gifts, I see nothing wrong with stating it on the invitation. I did exactly that for my "meet the baby" parties I threw for my younger 3. I didn't want or need any items but I was worried others would look at my party as a "shower" of sorts and I might be judged negatively for 1. having a shower or "gift grab" when it wasn't necessary and 2. having the audacity to host it myself. I worded my invitations to specifically state that gifts weren't wanted. My 3rd was actually born on Memorial day and the invitations said, "we had a memorable memorial day, come meet her!! The only presents we want is your presence." I was very proud of my friends daughter a few years ago. We had a rash of wildfires and several homes were burned. Her daughter was turning 8 and told her mom, "I don't need anything, can people just give my presents to the people who lost their houses?". So mom spread the word and asked that anyone wanting to give a gift, to please make a donation to the local fund set up to assist those who lost everything. It made the local news and both mom and daughter were embarrassed by it as they weren't trying to seek attention, they were just trying to do good. No one was guilted into donating because of this little girls selfless request. If I recall correctly it was less than 200 that was donated. This child just wanted those less fortunate to benefit and I say we should encourage that behavior! Too many kids and parents these days look to holidays as a gift grab, when I see an example of selflessness and generosity, it warms the cockles of my heart, regardless of how tactless it is according to the ancient etiquette rules.

Thank you for all the ideas. My DH probably would love people talking about him:) but I'm not going to go there at this point in the process. A simple toast and singing Happy Birthday could be fun though just to remind ourselves why we're there. I really want to do the photographer and the book. We live in a small town so no University but I'm going to call around and find someone. If not, I'll put a couple friends and their iphones on it to at least get something I can make into a book. I agree that the writing notes and sentiments is something that doesn't get done well on the spot. I remember being at a wedding where the videographer went around and asked that we talk about the bride and groom on camera. That was 20 years ago and I still remember not knowing what to say:) Thanks for all the thoughts!